Rob Roy MacGregor and History of Clan MacGregor Rob Roy MacGregor and History of Clan MacGregor A Short History of Clan MacGregor The MacGregors ("Children of the Mist") are one of the most ancient Scottish clans, tracing their ancestry back to the time of Malcolm Canmore, though Roy Roy is their most famous son. They fought for Bruce at Bannockburn and have remained staunch warriors for Scotland and the Highlands ever since. Indeed, their proud spirits and boundless courage have caused the clan much grief over the centuries, not least due to the enmity and greed of Clan Campbell . King David II, Bruce's son, gave Glenorchy, ancient seat of the MacGregors, to the Campbells. The MacGregors were loathe to leave, but by 1400 the Gregor chiefship had moved to Glenstrae. However, their troubles were only beginning. The Campbells were great ones for using the law against those whose lands they coveted (their great feud with Clan Donald is well-attested).

Their method was to provoke the MacGregors to acts of violence (not especially difficult, given the MacGregor temper) and then invoke the law to put them down and take their lands. By this method, the Campbells stripped Clan Gregor of their Glenlyon holdings in 1502. In 1589, the MacGregors killed a royal forester - an offence against the crown, which promptly issued letters of "fire and sword" against the clan, making it illegal to shelter or have any dealings with clan members. Various "fire and sword" orders were continually proclaimed against the MacGregors for the better part of 200 years - they simply couldn't keep out of trouble. In 1603, after Clan Gregor trapped and murdered the Colquhouns, an Act was passed proscribing the very name MacGregor. This meant any member of Clan Gregor (if caught) could be beaten, robbed or killed without fear of punishment. Anyone with the name MacGregor was banned from the church (no marriages, burials, communion, etc.). It was complete ostracism for the entire clan.

During this time, the Earl of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, promised safe conduct out of the country to MacGregor of Glenstrae and his men, then turned them over to be hanged. This treachery united the entire highlands in their loathing of the Campbells. Though reduced to the status of outlaws, the MacGregors never forgot or relinquished their identity. They fought for the king (who had renewed the Acts against them) with Montrose in 1644-45 (the Campbells fought on the other side). In 1661, the Acts were finally repealed, but only for about 30 years, until William of Orange and his successors renewed them and kept them in force. No wonder that Clan Gregor fully supported the Jacobite risings in 1715 and 1745. The Acts were finally repealed permanently in 1774 - Clan Gregor surviving almost 200 years as outlaws. Biography of Rob Roy MacGregor The most famous MacGregor of all is, of course, Rob Roy, of the Glengyle branch (1671-1734).

Rob Roy was a multi-talented man - a great swordsman and soldier (fighting alongside his father by the age of 18 against William of Orange), an astute businessman, and master of the highland "protection racket". That is, rather than just rustling cattle - the age-old highland way - Rob Roy discovered there was more money in "protecting" cattle for pay. Between 1689 and 1711, Rob Roy stayed at home (he was a loving family man) and prospered his business, increasing his lands and resources. The legend of Rob Roy MacGregor grew out of his famous feud with the Duke of Montrose. As with all farmers and ranchers, Rob Roy found it difficult to lay hands on ready cash to expand his regular cattle business and turned to Montrose for a loan (or investment money). One of Rob Roy's employees made off with £1000 and Montrose, in his greed, brought charges of embezzlement against Rob hoping to gain his lands. Failing to answer the charge, Rob Roy was declared an outlaw and began his campaign of harassment against the Duke (rustling his cattle).

In 1715, despite his outlaw status, Rob Roy rallied the MacGregor clan and led them in battle against the English, making many successful raids. Afterwards, he was tried for treason and lived life on the run, being captured twice but making spectacular escapes both times. Finally, in 1725, he turned himself in and received a pardon from the king. He died quietly at home in 1734. Ironically, Rob Roy's mother was a Campbell, and since the name MacGregor was proscribed by William of Orange, Rob Roy used the name Campbell at various times throughout his life and hid (with permission) on the Duke of Argyll's lands while an outlaw. Read the definitive, 5-star Canongate biography of Rob Roy - Rob Roy MacGregor : His Life & Times by W. H. Murray The movie based on Murray's book, Rob Roy , starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange is fun, too, lots of well-choreographed sword fighting. How to make a Rob Roy: one jigger scotch (1-1/2 oz.), 1/2 oz.

vermouth (sweet or dry depending on your taste) and a dash of bitters (optional). Pour over rocks and stir, or use a shaker. Pop in a cherry or lemon twist. History of the Scottish Clans | Glimpse Of Scotland History of the Scottish Clans Published December 10, 2013 | By Heather MacCain The Scottish clan system is one of the most defining features of Scottish culture, from its origins shrouded in myth and legend – to the thriving communities spread worldwide today. Scottish clans historically were groups related by blood, or oaths of fealty to the clan chief, and most clan members shared a surname – either by birth or by choosing to adopt the surname of their chieftain. Some clans also had septs, families of other names who were linked to the dominant clan and who had sworn allegiance to the chief in return for protection. Nowadays, the precise method of discovering which clan you are linked to can be difficult, should you not have a surname which matches one of the major clans – but clan chiefs can accept or reject any person from their clan regardless of surname or genealogy, based only on a person’s willingness to swear allegiance and membership to the clan in question.

Membership in the leading Scottish clans of today can be a very rewarding experience for many people, especially amongst the vast Scottish diaspora living abroad – with nations such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand having strong links to Scotland and providing a link back to the “old country” for many who wish to acknowledge and respect their heritage in a positive and useful way, as many clans perform charitable work to maintain locations important to their clan history, and to educate the general public about Scottish history and their own clans stamp on it in particular. Today, we will discuss a few of the oldest Scottish clans, the myths and romance their legacy has been founded upon, and the ways in which their Scottish families continue to grow and develop in the 21st Century! Clan Donald is one of the largest clans existing in Scotland today, with many branches such as MacDonald of Clanranald and MacDonald of Sleat, among others, who hived off from the main clan due to its large size even in ancient times.

Clan Donald is very active, and almost always represented at Highland Games and other multi-clan gatherings – they have a charitable trust and a museum has been established in their name which aims to educate visitors about clan history, and promote the preservation of the ancient landscape of Scotland which so many of its members call home. Officially, the genealogy of Clan Donald can be traced back to Domhnall mac Raghnaill, a Hebridean noble who lived in the 12th century, the Gaelic term for Clan Donald, Clann Domhnall means Children of Donald. His father, Ragnall mac Somairle, was known as Ranald, Lord of the Isles, and his father before him was Somerled – a Scottish warlord whose origins have been shrouded in mystery. Read about Scottish Highland Games As this is as far back as the founders lineage can be traced, rumours have abounded– with some even claiming that the legendary Cúchulainn was the forefather of the Donald line! Cúchulainn is a mythical figure, supposed to have lived during the first century AD, in what is now Ireland.

A demi-god, Cúchulainn’s mother, a Celtic princess, conceived him by swallowing a mayfly that had flown into her wine, then dreamt that the fly was actually the god Lugh, and that Cúchulainn was his child. Cúchulainn had many great deeds attributed to him, such as single-handedly defeating the army of Connacht, and facing the strange magical challenges set by the troublemaker Bricriu, and was said to be the fiercest warrior that ever lived. The legends surrounding him are mainly centred in Ireland, showing again the way in which the folklore if the Scots tribe originating in Ireland was shared with the Picts and other tribes of Alba when the Scots migrated and made these lands their own. Learn more about Picts Another figure from very early history that is claimed to have been the founding father of modern clans is Alpin, father of Kenneth MacAlpin, first King of Scots. Although his life is also slightly mysterious, as is expected for such ancient history, he was undoubtedly a real person, living and dying in the 9th century AD.

His son ruled as a Pictish king, not a member of the Scots tribe, but historians claimed that he conquered the Scots and united the tribes into one people as we are today. Later and more accurate evidence suggests this claim might have been just a wee bit exaggerated, and this unification did not fully come about until a few generations after his time, but King Kenneth is an integral part of Scottish history and his name is strongly linked to the fouding of seven major Scottish clans – forever linked to one another as the Siol Alpin! The Siol Alpin, or Seed of Alpin, is a confederacy of seven Scottish clans, all of whom are still active and well-respected today, though not all still have a chief from an unbroken paternal line. These clans all trace their descent from Alpin, father of Kenneth I of Scots, Clan MacNab through the kings line directly, and MacGregor, Grant, MacAulay, MacQuarrie, MacKinnon and MacFie from his other son Doungallas.

Historically, these clans were always linked and showed a good deal of friendliness to one another; Clans Gregor and Grant almost reunited as a single clan at one point, on the strength of their connection through the Siol Alpin, and historical records are rife with examples of these clans exchanging bonds of manrent and friendship, to offer one another aid and arms in any situation (so long as it didn’t require treason!). Additionally, the clan badges (also known as plant badges) of these seven all feature the Scots pine; it has been said that plant badges were used to identify friend from foe among clansmen so it is interesting indeed that the rumoured sons of Alpin all used the same device to identify themselves. Add to this the propensity for clan mottoes referencing royalty among the Siol Alpin and you see the possibilities are endless for research and mining for new knowledge of these old groups, still active to this very day! Researching your clan histories, and the myths and legends that might go along with them, can be a fascinating and rewarding experience, little do people realise the rich tapestry of history which trails down through the centuries when visiting a simple stall at a Highland Games, or wandering around “yet another” crumbling castle.

But for many, this ancient history is still vibrant and alive, in the bonds of brother- and sisterhood shared amongst their clans-folk, and in the activities of clan societies worldwide. We would love to hear from any clan members who have a favourite bit of history or legend to share, or those among us who are just setting out on their journey in tracing their own lineage – good luck – who knows where it will take you! Clan MacGregor | History Site Map Clan MacGregor The Clan Gregor is a Highland Scottish clan. Outlawed for nearly two hundred years after losing their lands in a long power struggle with the Clan Campbell, the Clan Gregor claims descent from the third son of Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scotland, a descent which is proclaimed in the motto, 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream, translated as Royal is my Race. History Origins of the Clan The Clan Gregor is believed to have originated in Scotland during the 800s. The MacGregor's suggest that they take their name from Gregor (meaning "Watchers" in Greek), a son of the Scottish king Kenneth MacAlpin.

The Y-chromosomal data supports this contention as the hierarchical family Y-DNA is consistent with that of the other clans claiming similar descent. The data supports descent from the Dalraidic kings. Many historians have suggested the clan descends from Griogair, son of Dungal, who is said to have been a co-ruler of Alba, an area of north central Scotland, between AD 879 and 889. The Y-DNA data does not support this second contention. 14th Century & Wars of Scottish Independence In the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan MacGregor fought at the Battle of Bannockburn under chief Malcolm MacGregor. Most historians agree that the first certain Chief was Gregor "of the Golden Bridles." Gregor's son, Iain Camm ("of the One-Eye") succeeded as the second Chief sometime prior to 1390. The MacGregors suffered a reversal of fortune when the Scottish king, Robert the Bruce, awarded the bulk of their lands to the Clan Campbell. The MacGregors fought the Campbells for decades and were eventually dispossessed of all their lands.

Reduced to the status of outlaws, they rustled cattle and poached deer to survive. They became so proficient at these endevours many other clans would pay them not to steal their cattle as they exhausted other means of stopping them. They were formally banished in 1603 by King James VI who made it a capital offence to bear the MacGregor name. From this period comes the Clan MacGregor's most famous historical figure, Rob Roy. Persecution of the MacGregors ended in 1774. The taking of Castle Grant, 14th century; Originally a Comyn Clan stronghold, Clan Grant traditions tell us that the castle was taken from the Comyns by a combined force of the Grants and MacGregors. The Clan Grant and Clan MacGregors stormed the castle and in the process slew the Comyn Chief - and kept the Chief's skull as a trophy of this victory. The skull of the Comyn was taken as a macabre trophy and was kept in Castle Grant and became an heirloom of the Clan.

(In the late Lord Strathspey's book on the Clan, he mentions that the top of the cranium was hinged, and that he saw documents kept in it.) Clan tradition predicts grave things if the skull ever leaves the hands of the family - prophecying that the Clan would lose all of its lands in Strathspey. In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Scottish king Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Loch Awe, which included much of the MacGregor lands, to the chief of the Clan Campbell. The Campbells ejected the unfortunate MacGregors from these lands, forcing them to retire deeper into their lands until they were largely restricted to Glenstrae. 16th Century & Clan Conflicts Iain of Glenstrae died in 1519 with no direct heirs. This plunged the Clan MacGregor into disarray as the powerful Campbells meddled with succession and asserted claim to the last remaining MacGregor lands. In 1560, the Campbells dispossessed Gregor Roy MacGregor, who waged war against the Campbells for ten years before being captured and killed.

His son, Alistair, claimed the MacGregor chiefship but was utterly unable to stem the tide of persecution which was to be fate of the "Children of the Mist." Argyle and his Clan Campbell henchmen were given the task of hunting down the MacGregors. About sixty of the clan made a brave stand at Bentoik against a party of two-hundred chosen men belonging to the Clan Cameron, Clan MacNab, and Clan Ronald, under command of Robert Campbell, son of the Laird of Glen Orchy. In this battle, Duncan Aberach, one of the Chieftains of the Clan Gregor, his son Duncan, and seven other MacGregors were killed. But although they made a brave resistance, and killed many of their pursuers, the MacGregors, after many skirmishes and great losses, were at last overcome. Clan MacGregor fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh 1547. In 1558 a deadly feud took place between the Clan MacLaren and the Clan MacGregor when the MacGregors slaughterd no less than 18 MacLarens men along with their whole families and took posession of their farms.

This incident was not investigated until 1604 when the MacGregors were on trial for slaughtering many men of the Clan Colquhoun. However the MacGregors were cleared of doing anything against the Clan MacLaren. 17th Century & Clan Conflicts The Battle of Glen Fruin took place in 1603 where the MacGregors were victorious, defeating five hundred Clan Colquhoun men, three hundred of whom were on horseback, by four hundred MacGregor men at Glen Fruin. Over two hundred of the Colquhoun men were lost when the MacGregors, who had split into two parties, attacked from front and rear and forced the horsemen onto the soft ground of the Moss of Auchingaich. It meant the proscription of the Clan MacGregor. It wasn’t until the eighteenth century that the enmity between the clans was laid to rest when, at Glen Fruin on the site of the massacre, the chiefs of the Clan MacGregor and Colquhoun met and shook hands. The dispossessed MacGregors rustled cattle and poached deer to survive.

When John Drummond, the king’s forester, was murdered after hanging some MacGregors for poaching, the chief of the Clan MacGregor (who?) was condemned by the Privy Council. In April 1603, King James VI issued an edict proclaiming the name of MacGregor ‘altogidder abolisheed’, meaning that those who bore the name must renounce it or suffer death. MacGregor (which MacGregor?) , along with eleven of his chieftains, was hanged at Edinburgh’s Mercat Cross in January 1604. Clan Gregor was scattered, many taking other names, such as Murray, King, or Grant. They were hunted like animals, flushed out of the heather by bloodhounds. Persecution of the MacGregors continued until 1774 when they were permitted to be reestablished. The Clan MacThomas spent much of their time breeding cattle and fighting off those who tried to rustle them. One of these incidents in 1606 is remembered as the Battle of Cairnwell.

A force of around 200 men from the Clan MacGregor and some Catarans made off with around 2,700 of the MacThomases cattle. The MacThomases eventually caught up with their enemies and defeated them but not before they had butchered most of the MacThomases cattle out of pure spite. This caused much financial damage to the MacThomases with some of the clansmen being completely ruined. 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings In the 18th Century during the early Jacobite Uprisings men from the Clan MacGregor fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719 led by their chief Rob Roy who was wounded. During the 1745 to 1746 uprising the Clan MacGregor who were under the Duke of Perth fought as Jacobites at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1715 and the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Clan Profile Origin of the name: Son of Gregory (flocksman) Gaelic name: MacGrioghair ("Son of Gregory") Motto: 'S rioghal mo dhream (My race is royal) (Royalty is my race) or (My blood is royal) Slogan: "Ard Choille!" (The woody height!) Pipe music: Ruaig Ghlinne Freoine - The Chase (or Rout) of Glen Fruin Crest: A lion's head erased proper crowned with a five-pointed antique crown. Clan members were called "Children of the Mist" as they were said to be able to dissapear into the Highland fog at will. Tartan: Red, green and white plaid. On red, three stripes of dark green, the middle stripe bisected by white edged with black. Argent: An oak tree eradicated in bend sinister proper, surmounted by a sword azure hilted and pommelled or, in bend supporting on its point, in the dexter canton, an antique crown gules.

Gregor MacGregor Malcom MacGregor Ian Macgregor, Former CIO of The Wellcome Trust, oversaw growth of £1bn per annum over fifteen years, making The Wellcome Trust the worlds largest foundation (total assets valued at c. £15bn at his retirement in 2000). Regarded by many as the most successful investment officer ever seen in the not-for-profit sector, Macgregor was behind the largest private share sale on record: initial floatation of Wellcome Plc. Scott David MacGregor MacGregor, Balquhidder, Rob Roy - Scottish Clan Names Perthshire Scotland > Scottish Clan Names > MacGregor Traditional MacGregor lands lay along west Perthshire and across to Loch Awe. By supporting Robert the Bruce, Campbells were given huge tracts of land in Argyll and Perthshire which had previously been MacGregor. MacGregors were forced to live in the poorest remoter areas of what became Campbell land. There was never really peace between the Campbells and MacGregors. During the 16thC the Campbells even tried to establish a 'tame' line of MacGregor chiefs under their control!

James VI was married in 1598. A Royal Forrester, John Drummond, was to provide venison for the feast. While hunting he was set upon and killed by MacDonalds from Glencoe. They later arrived at the Stewarts of Ardvorlich beside Loch Earn on their way home demanding refreshments. To her horror the lady of the house saw the head of her dead brother John and never recovered from the shock. Further on their journey, they met with MacGregors of Balquhidder who sided with and swore to support the MacDonalds; MacGregors had been hanged by Drummond for poaching. This act and other 'offenses' around the beginning of the 17thC resulted in more than a century of slaughter and persecution of MacGregors. MacGregors fought in support of Montrose in his rebellion for Charles I. In gratitude Charles II later repealed the proscription on the surname MacGregor. However, with the denise of the Stuart monarchs it was re-proscribed when William IV became king.

Robert 'Roy' MacGregor (1671-1734) was given the nickname 'Ruadh' / 'Roy' because of his wild red hair. At 18 he took part in the battle of Killiecrankie where Jacobites under the command of Viscount Dundee opposed the replacement of their Stuart King with William of Orange. Rob Roy visited the town of Crieff on many occasions, often to sell cattle. In the second week of October 1714 the Highlanders gathered in Crieff for the annual market. Civil war was expected at any time. By day Crieff was also full of soldiers and government spies! Just after midnight, Rob Roy and his men marched to Crieff Town Square and rang the Town bell. In front of the gathering crowd sang Jacobite songs and drank a good many loyal toasts to their uncrowned King James VIII. Rob Roy unually used the surname Campbell. His wife was a Campbell and he enjoyed, to some extent, the protection of that Clan. In the 1715 he initially fought on the Jacobite side and his MacGregors raided the lands around Loch Lomond.

However his benefactor the Duke of Argyll had chosen the Government side and Rob Roy with mixed allegiances was forced to miss the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Even so he became a marked man and was hunted for almost 10 years escaping capture on several occasions. In 1725 he surrendered to General Wade, the great builder of roads in the Highlands, narrowly missed transportation to the colonies and was pardoned to end his days at Balquhidder. The proscription of the surname was finally repealed in 1774.

Rob Roy's Will - The Clan Gregor Society Rob Roy MacGregor (1671 – 1734) National Archives of Scotland Reference: CC6/5/24 – pp.125-126 Robert Roy Campbell The Testament Dative and Inventary Of the goods gear cattle Household plenishing and others which pertained to the Deceast Robert Roy Campbell in Innerlochlang beg within the parish of Balquhidder and Commissariot of Dunblane the time of Decease which was in the Moneth of December last Faithfully made and given up by Mary Mcgrigor alias Campbell the Defuncts Spouse only Executrix Dative Decerned as Credetrix to her said Deceas’d husband For payment and Satisfaction to her of the sum of four hundred and thirty six pounds ten shillings and four pennies Scots money Expended and Deburs’d by her on the Defuncts funerals and for Masters rent, and Servants fees and for medicaments and other Necessaries fur -nished during his Sickness Conform to a particular Accompt and Several Instructions thereof produced Whereon she made faith as use is As also for payment of the expences

 of Confirmation hereof By Decreet of the Commissary principal of the said Commissariot as the samen of the date of these presents in itself more fully Bears There was pertaining and belonging to the Said Defunct the time of his decease forsaid the goods gear and others aftermentioned of the values after express’d According as the Samen were valued in Virtue of the said Commissarys warrant Vizt.

Imprimis Two Tydie Cows at eight pound Scots per piece Inde Sixteen pound Item Two Yeald Kine estimate at Six pound Scots pr.

piece Inde Twelve pound Item Two old Kine with a Stirk estimate at Six pounds thirteen shilling And four pennies Scots per piece Inde Thirteen pound Six shilling and eight pennies Item Two forrow Kine with a Stirk estimate at Seven pound Six Shilling and eight pennies Scots oer piece Inde fourteen pound Thirteen Shilling and four pennies Item Two Six quarters old queys estimate at Two pound thirteen Shilling and four pennies Scots per piece Inde five pound Six Shilling and eight pennies Item a ten quarter year old quey estimate at Three pound Item thirteen Ews and one Ram estimate at fourteen pound It[em] seven hoggs estimate at three pound ten shilling It[em] fourteen Goats with a Buck estimate at Twenty pound It[em] eight Minchaks estimate at four pounds Item Ane Old Mair with a filly estimate to eight pound It[em] two horses estimate to thirty pound It[em] a Blind horse estimate to One pound ten shilling It[em] Two Bolls of Gray Corn with the Straw estimate to ten pound It[em] the Key estimate to Twelve pound It[em] the Saddle and Armes estimate with the Bridle Twenty four pound It

[em] Betwixt his body Cloaths and heall house plenishing estimate to eighty four pound Six Shilling and eight pennies.

Item The said Defunct had Justly addebted and resting to him the time foresaid of his decease By Alexander Mcfarlane in Coreitlet the Sum of One hundred pounds Scots money and whole annualrents thereof as a part of the sum of Six hundred merks Scots money principal Specified in a Bond Granted by him to the said Defunct therein Designed Robert Campbell of Innerfuait Dated the Twenty eight day of November and ______________ day of ______________ _____ One thousand seven hundred and seven years. Summa By Thomas Hiram McAdams Part 1 A possible kinsman of ours in the 17th and 18th century was Rob Roy MacGregor. This is the same Rob Roy popularized in a recent movie. His time of birth is uncertain. Speculation has it that he was born around 1665 to a Donald MacGregor of Glengyle and his wife, a Campbell. He had to go by the name Rob Roy MacGregor Campbell as a consequence of the Acts of Parliament abolishing the use of the name MacGregor. He grew up on the east side of Loch Lomond, in central Scotland, around Aberfoyle, MacGregor stronghold country.

The time of his death is uncertain, but it is said to be in the year 1733, and he died an aged man (Rob Roy by Sir Walter Scott). “With fiery red hair and a mighty frame, at first sight he did not seem so tall as he actually was because of his enormous width of shoulder, and the fact that his arms were so long that he could tie his garters without stooping. A born leader and of an acquisitive bent, he had perfected the traditional MacGregor preoccupation with their neighbor’s cattle (rustling) into the forerunner of the protection racket, or if you prefer it, the “insurance industry” (The Story of Scotland by Nigel Tranter). He fought in the failed Risings of 1708, 1715, and 1719 against English control of Scotland. There is a statue of Rob Roy today outside Stirling Castle in central Scotland. An interesting fact is that Rob Roy could not use his rightful name of MacGregor in a legal way. This goes back to an occurrence in the early years of the 17th century. The MacGregors were the “bad boys” of the clans in the region of Scotland.

They were constantly warring against other clans because of their smaller size and in order to maintain their claim to the lands around the east side of Loch Lomond. The Campbell clan had been systematically ejecting the MacGregors from their own Argyll lands for centuries, to the fury of the smaller clan, who were fiercely proud of their descent from Celtic kings (Clan MacAlpin -- Gregor being a son of the king, Kenneth 1 of Scotland). The clan had become quite warlike with something of a persecution mania. Matters culminated in 1603, when a raid of Luss occurred and the MacGregors killed many of the Buchanan clan. Afterward in another battle, the MacGregors slew 200 Cohquhoun clansmen at the clan battle of Glen Fruin. This battle and massacre occurred during the visit of King James (of England and Scotland) to Scotland. Outraged by the constant clan wars with each other, he decided to make an example of the MacGregors (bad timing!). The clan chief of the MacGregors and 35 clan warriors were arrested and hanged at the command of the King and with connivance of the Campbell clan.

A declaration of fire and sword was issued against the MacGregor clan whereby anyone and everyone had the right and duty to slay, harry, burn and dispossess any MacGregors they might find weak enough to let them do so. By official decree, the name MacGregor was proscribed or forbidden. Thereafter, none might legally call themselves by the name MacGregor. No property could be held in that name, nor bought or sold, no document so signed was lawfully valid, and no one thus named could marry or be buried, and so on. They could not gather in groups larger than four in number and could not maintain any arms (swords or guns). This extraordinary proscription made it legally necessary for every MacGregor to adopt another surname! This decree remained in effect until 1774 - for 170 years (The Story of Scotland by Nigel Tranter). You may wonder -- “Why is Rob Roy a kinsman of the McAdams?” A Scottish clan was a collection of families (with differing surnames) having a common ancestor and subject to a single chieftain. Most of the families bore the surname of the clan chieftain (example: MacGregor).

However, the clans included septs or sub-groups. These septs were families with different surnames that were closely allied with and inter-married with the main clan family. The MacGregor clan had the following families as septs: McAdam (Son of Adam MacGregor), Black, Brewer, Fletcher, Grier, King, Petrie, and White. The septs were proud to be connected to the clan chief and to each other and the evidence shows they were willing to die for the clan. To add to the solidarity of the clan, fosterage was practiced, which meant that children (including the clan chief’s) were exchanged for periods of time and brought up among the different families allied with the clan. Thus, the most humble clansman felt personally responsible for the children of his chief, clan, family and vice-versa (Scottish Clans by Alan Bold). Speculation! The McAdam(s) were a sept of the clan MacGregor. During the period (1603 - 1774) when the use of the MacGregor name was forbidden, what names do you think the MacGregors assumed or used? It is quite possible and likely they used the names of their septs.

Thus, it seems likely that Rob Roy and other MacGregors were our kinsmen and some of them assumed the surname of McAdam. Part 2 The Scots have fought the English for centuries for their independence. Starting in the late twelfth century when the Normans conquered England and Scotland, they dominated the Scots for a hundred years. In the early 1300’s, William Wallace (Brave Heart) started the fight against the English / Norman control, and later Robert de Bruce led Scotland to freedom from English control at the battle of Bannockburn (near Stirling castle in Scotland) in 1314. The Scots in later centuries lost control of the country to England again. There have been numerous attempts by Scottish nationals to regain control of Scotland from England. The last time occurred in 1745 - 1746 when Prince Charles Stewart, pretender to the throne of England and Scotland, rallied Scottish highlanders to his cause and attempted to overthrow the current English monarch, King George.

At the decisive battle of Culloden moor (near Inverness, Scotland) in April, 1746, English troops (and some Scottish clans) under the Duke of Cumberland, third son of King George, decisively defeated Charles Stewart and his highland army. This victory for the English re-established the rule and control of England over Scotland, which has lasted to current times. During the aftermath of the battle, English troops destroyed the Scottish countryside, Scottish society, and the clan system. During the remainder of the 1700’s and early 1800’s, thousands of Scots were forced to emigrate to other lands. This was part of the “Highland Clearances” in which the English destroyed the clan system and exploited the country in the same pattern of colonial development (native population removed or reduced) as in America, Canada, and Australia. The result was a mass exodus of Scottish people to Nova Scotia (New Scotland), Canada, and America from 1746 to1850.

According to one source, 20,000 highland Scots left Scotland for the American colonies between 1763 and 1775 (The Highland Clearances by John Prebble). Although only a fraction of the clans had taken part in the rebellion of 1745 - 1746, all felt the results of the defeat at Culloden. Bayonet and noose, proscription of arms (swords, knives, guns) and bagpipes, outlawing the wearing of tartan and kilt, abolition of hereditary jurisdiction of the clan chiefs, and confiscation of clan lands led to the destruction of the Scottish clan system and way of life. Their attachment to the land had been deep and strong. Now they were uprooted. Partly because conditions were not good in Scotland, partly out of natural individualism of the Scot-Irish-Celt people, and partly due to personal enterprise, Scots left in a major overseas exodus. The McAdams’, like other clan families, were probably part of this exodus, eventually coming to America in the middle 1700’s.

The result of this exodus of Scots from Scotland was that by 1985, it was computed that there were 20 million “overseas Scots”, people with direct family links to Scotland, whereas Scotland’s population was 4 million. History of the MacGregor Clan Clan/Family Histories - MacGregor The clan claims descent from Griogar, a son of Alpin, king of Dalriada but some genealogists question this. The first chief was probably "Gregor of the golden bridles" and his son, Iain Camm, succeeded as 2nd chief before 1390. Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Loch Awe to the Campbells and this covered much of the land occupied by the MacGregors. As a result, the clan were confined to Glenstrae. In 1519 Iain of Glenstrae died without direct heirs and the Campbells supported the succession of Eian MacGregor (who was married to the daughter of Colin Campbell of Glenorchy).

Eian's son, Alistair, fought at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 but, following his death, Colin Campbell refused to acknowledge the claim to the land by Gregor Roy MacGregor. Gregor was forced to wage a guerilla war for ten years but was captured and killed by the Campbells in 1570. MacGregors were involved in the killing of John Drummond, the king's forester (after Drummond had hung some MacGregors for poaching) in 1589 and MacGregors took part in the Conflict of Glenfruin in 1603. With encouragement from the Campbells, King James VI and the Privy Council issued an edict banning the use of the name MacGregor. The clan chief was hanged at Edinburgh's Mercat Cross in 1604. Many adopted the name Murray, Graham, Stewart, Grant and even Campbell. The surname was not fully restored until 1774. In the 18th century there were disputes over the chieftainship but eventually John Murray (later MacGregor) of Lanrick was recognised.

The MacGregors of Glengyle disputed this but eventually, following a petition signed by 800 MacGregors, the Lord Lyon recognised him as chief in 1775. Rob Roy MacGregor (he was forced to use his mother's maiden name Campbell due to the proscription of the MacGregor name) was a younger son of MacGregor of Glengyle. He took part in the first Jacobite Uprising in 1715. Afterwards, his raids on Lowland farms and his prowess with the sword earned him a reputation which was considerably enhanced by Sir Walter Scott's romantic tales. Rob Roy died peacefully in 1734 and is buried with his family in the churchyard at Balquhidder. A 20th century addition to his grave is defiantly inscribed "MacGregor Despite Them"! The MacGregor chief, Sir Evan MacGregor, played a prominent part in the visit of King George IV to Scotland in 1822 and he and his clansmen guarded the honours of Scotland (changed days from their former role as outlaws).

And it was Sir Evan who had the honour of proposing the toast to the "chief of chiefs" King George, at the royal banquet in Edinburgh. The MacGregor clan motto is "'S rioghal mo dhream" which means "My race is royal" and refers to the claim that they are descended from Griogar, a son of Alpin, king of Dalriada. Despite its persecution and proscription, MacGregor is found frequently in Scotland. It was the 82nd most frequent surname at the General Register Office in 1995.

Surnames regarded as septs (sub-branch) of the MacGregor clan include Black, Bowers, Bowmaker, Brewer, Caird, Comrie, Dochart, Docharty, Gregorson, Gergory, Greig, Grier, Grigor, Gruer, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, MacAra, MacConachie, MacGrewar, MacGrowther, MacGruder, MacGruther, MacLeister, MacNee, MacNeish, MacNie, MacNish, MacPetrie, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peterkin, Petrie, Skinner, Stringer, White, Whyte. There are MacGregor/Gregor clan Web sites here: Touring Scotland William Wallace, Rob Roy, Heroes of Scotland Tour A Full Day Tour Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) A heroic leader and Scotland's great patriot king, the real "braveheart", the culmination of his struggle being the great victory of Bannockburn.

Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734) A rogue and romantic hero, also a cattle-dealer and warrior who inspired Sir Walter Scott to write about his exploits. William Wallace (1267-1305) An heroic leader of a national war of liberation. Jacobite Jock (1689-1746 and beyond!) An old warrior, a balladeer, a story teller, a man of his time. A wonderful day following in the footsteps of William Wallace, Rob Roy and Robert the Bruce, all recently portrayed in films - Braveheart (Mel Gibson): Rob Roy (Liam Neeson) and The Bruce (Sandy Welch). I can arrange presentations of Rob Roy (with a whisky tasting if desired); King Robert the Bruce or Jacobite Jock to bring the history really alive, fun and informative. This can be a very full day as there is much to see and a distance to cover, but the day can be tailored to suit your specific interests. Above Left; Jacobite Jock Above Right; Rob Roy MacGregor. Below Left; Robert the Bruce with The Declaration of Arbroath.

Visit Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument on the Abbey Craig where Wallace gathered his army before the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. At Stirling Castle, recently voted the United Kingdom's Best Heritage Attraction, you can step back in time to the 16th century in the beautifully restored Royal apartments and meet characters from the Royal Court who will tell you of their lives filled with plots, passion, intrigue and high fashion. Robert the Bruce Visit Bannockburn, the site of the great battlefield in 1314 where King Robert the Bruce routed the forces of King Edward II to win freedom for the Scots from English domination. 2014 heralded the opening of a brand new exhibition centre marking the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, harnessing state-of-the-art 3D technology. Visitors experience medieval combat like never before and learn more about this crucial event in Scottish history. Take your place on the battlefield, stand face to face with fearless, medieval warriors with the hopes of two opposing kings - Robert the Bruce of Scotland and Edward II of England - whose tactics changed the path of Scotland's history forever. Tea/coffee and comfort stop!

Travel through the Trossachs and into MacGregor country! Past Doune Castle and on to Callander where you can decide for yourself - was Rob Roy a villain or a Scottish Robin Hood? Incidentally, Doune Castle was used the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and is well worth a visit if you are a fan and if time allows. The Scarth family enjoying Rob Roy country. Continuing our journey through Bonnie Strathyre to Rob Roy's final resting place at Balquhidder Lunch and comfort stop! On to Loch Katrine, the birthplace of Rob Roy and the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott's poem "The Lady of the Lake". Time and weather permitting, maybe an afernoon cruise on the loch. Travelling over the Dukes Pass to Aberfoyle for a spot of shopping. Tea/coffee and comfort stop! Returning, via Scotland's only lake, the Lake of Menteith, and Inchmahome Priory where Mary Queen of Scots spent part of her early childhood. Robert the Bruce with two Highlanders.

What some people have said about time spent in this part of Scotland: "I've never had such a welcome - I've never seen anything like it" - Mel Gibson "It's wonderful to stand there, dressed in the period and know that these hills and mountains haven't changed in millennia - that Rob Roy and his clan actually trudged those hills and would have seen those views and marvelled at those sunsets" - Liam Neeson. Jacobite Jock The term Jacobite became the name for those who supported James VII after his disposition. Jacobus is latin for James. Jacobite Jock will tell you of the real Scotland, from the true costume of the Highlander and their daily lives and their struggle to remain outwith the British Empire, with stories, songs and lots of humour but tinged with pathos and a lament for a culture outlawed by a great force, only for it to rise again in diluted form. Expect to be amused and informed but truly inspired. Jacobite Jock is a story teller, an old warrior, a baladeer, a man of his time,a 'man for all seasons'. Options: 1.

Guiding Only You supply a fully insured coach and driver that is qualified to drive on our roads and I will guide. 2. Driver-guiding I driver guide you in a luxury, air-conditioned Mercedes Viano cdi X-clusive which is fully insured (maximum 6 passengers). 3. Minibus/coach with driver and guide (For groups with over 6 passengers) I will arrange a suitable fully insured vehicle for your group with my business colleague who has many years driving experience. They will be your driver and myself as your guide. Prices for the above options on application. To enquire or book: In order to avoid disappointment, please try to book at least 4 weeks in advance. If that's impossible contact me anyway, and I'll do my best! Prices do not include: Refreshments, lunch, entry fees or a cruise on Loch Katrine Admission to National Wallace Monument. Prices range from £6.25-£9.99 Admission to Stirling Castle. Prices range from £8.70- £14.50 Bannockburn.

Prices range from £8.50-£11.00 Rob Roy MacGregor and visitors Concessions may sometimes be available for senior citizens, families, groups and children. Special Stirling Area Events for 2017 You may like to incorporate these events into your visit. Alva Highland Games 8th July Airth Highland Games 22nd July Bridge of Allan Highland Games 7th July Stirling Whisky Festival 6th May Stirling Highland Games 19th August Like or Share this page. Margot McMurdo Blue Badge Scottish Tourist Guide. Email: margot@ctem.co.uk Famous Scots - Rob Roy MacGregor Famous Scots - Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734) "Children of the Mist" The first Gregor in Scotland was said to have been a son of King Kenneth MacAlpin in the 8th century and the clan motto, in Gaelic, means "My race is royal".

The clan MacGregor is reputed to be one of the oldest in Scotland and became established in Argyll and Perthshire, in Glenorchy, Glenstrae and Glenlochy - the clan probably built the original Kilchurn Castle at the Pass of Brander near Glenstrae. But Robert the Bruce granted a substantial part of the MacGregor lands to his close friend and supporter Neil Campbell. Over the centuries, the expansionist Campbells and the MacGregors were in frequent conflict and as the Campbell's very often had the ear of the monarch, the MacGregors were often the losers. Over the years, the MacGregors gradually lost title to their lands and became tenants of the more powerful Campbells. In order to survive, the MacGregors, like many other clans, often had to resort to raids on neighbouring land, stealing cattle and anything else worth taking. Since the MacGregor lands were on the edge of the Highlands, there were often soft targets in the richer lands of the Central Lowlands to the south, in Stirlingshire.

But they were not averse to raiding other clan lands - in 1558 many MacLarens, including their chief, were murdered during a MacGregor raid. In 1590, the clan chief was held responsible for the murder of John Drummond, the king's forester (who in turn had hanged some MacGregors for poaching) - even though the chief was not involved in the killings. However, he was pardoned by King James VI in 1596. But in 1602 two MacGregors were refused hospitality by Sir Alex Colquhoun at Luss, on the banks of Loch Lomond. This may have been related to an incident in 1592 when the MacGregors fired an arrow which killed Sir Humphrey Colquhoun. But the insult of being refused hospitality had to be revenged and the MacGregors attacked Rossdhu Castle, killed two men and removed a few hundred cows and other livestock. The Colquhoun chief took the matter to the King (with a suitably embellished story).

Matters were not helped when the two clans met soon after in a battle at Glen Fruin and 800 Colquhouns were badly beaten by a MacGregor band of half that number. The matter was again reported to the Privy Council in Edinburgh and in April 1603 the name of MacGregor was banned. Anyone continuing to use it could be sentenced to death and the clan chief was hanged in Edinburgh. Rob Roy's Early Years It was against this background that Rob Roy MacGregor was born in 1671 in a cottage on the banks of Loch Katrine (pictured here) in the Trossachs area of Stirlingshire. He was the third son of Donald Glas of Glengyle and Margaret Campbell. Rob Roy would later use his mother's surname when the banning of the MacGregor name was reinforced. As the son of a senior member of the clan, he was well educated, not just in reading and writing but in the crafts of fighting and swordsmanship. While Gaelic was his native tounge, he spoke (and wrote) in English also.

Rob obtained land on the east side of Loch Lomond near Inversnaid but augmented his meagre living there with both cattle rustling and cattle droving. Cattle owners who paid "black rent" or "black meal" (the origin of the word blackmail) would have their cattle protected by Rob and his fellow MacGregors. Since they were often the cattle rustlers, paying to have them protect your cattle could be beneficial! The MacGregors, including Rob Roy, continued to support the deposed King James VII against William of Orange and Queen Mary. When John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (also known as "Bonnie Dundee"), raised an army in support of James (and his Jacobite cause), the MacGregors joined him. Rob Roy and his father fought at the Battle of Killiecrankie on 27 July, 1689 and although both sides lost many men, Rob and Donald Glas survived. During the following winter, however, Donald Glas was captured on a cattle raid and imprisoned.

To eke out their low income, the MacGregors formed the "Lennox Watch" to protect cattle and on one occasion Rob restored cattle which had been stolen (by the MacRaes) to their rightful owner, the Campbell Earl of Breadalbane. This raised Rob's status and he was called on to protect a number of other estates.

Question: Which Scottish clan did Rob Roy belong to?
Answer: MacGregor